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NAACP Commends Executive Order Restoring Voting Rights to New Yorkers on Parole

BALTIMORE, MD (April 25, 2018) – The NAACP, the nation’s premier civil rights organizations, commends New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for signing an executive order to restore voting rights to individuals on parole and celebrates the work of the NAACP New York State Conference and its partners for advancing this legislation.

“This executive order is a major victory for civil rights and civic engagement,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO. “The NAACP and our allied organizations have long been fighting for the right for returning citizens to regain their full rights as citizens of our democracy. This victory in New York shows us the power of grassroots organization in the fight to expand voting rights nationwide.”

“Our work has paid off,” said Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference. “We are grateful for the support of our partners – the New York Urban League, National Action Network, Common Cause, and New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus – in this long but worthy fight for the rights of New Yorkers on parole. We look forward to continuing to work together in the continued struggle to advance civic engagement and criminal justice in our city.”

“This is great news for New Yorkers and a great indication of the potential for progress nationwide,” said Ngozi Ndulue, Senior Director of Criminal Justice Programs for the NAACP. “The executive order will restore enfranchisement to thousands of New Yorkers, permitting them to vote upon release from incarceration. Of the 35,000 individuals currently on parole in New York unable to vote, Black and Latino New Yorkers make up 71 percent. This new reform will combat this racial inequity, reduce recidivism, and promote civic engagement.”

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.